Safety razor



Nov. 22, 1932. T. L.. sMi'rH 1,888,576

SAFETY RAzR y FledNov. 18. 1930 IIIl/lllll/(ll/IlllllIIllllIl/ll/l/A y//j/j//il/ll/l//lll/l/l Patented Nov. 22, 1932- UNITED STATESf PATENT" oFFlca THEODOBE L. SMITH, 0F CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNQR T0 GILLETTE SAFETY RAZOR COMPANY, OF BOSTON, LIASSAUHUSTTS, A CORPORATION F DELAWARE' SAFETY RAZOR yApplication med November 18, 1930. Serial No. 496,446. v

' have the least amount o This invention relates to safety razors of the type wherein a thin and usually flexible blade 1s supported and clamped 1n shaving position between cap and guard members. This clamping has heretofore been done by means ofthe razor handle which is screw threaded to a stud on the razor cap and vany releasing adjustment of the handle haspermitted a looseness at its connection vwith the razor. -Such adjustment is frequently made for various purposes as hereinafter pointed out and it is the primary object of my. invention to provide a construction wherein the clamping means can be adjusted or released to any desired position without affecting the connection between the handle and razor.

When a raz'or of the above defined type is clamped to its maximum position of tightness, the cutting edges of the blade are brought to a position most closely adjacent to the guard and these edges in this position cutting exposure. Releasing of the clam in action against the blade permits the bla e e ges to move slightly away from the guard and thereby increase this cutting exposure. In accordance with my invention, the clamping action may be released to thus increase the blade edge exposure without objectionably affecting the security and rigidity of the connection between the razor and its handle. @he razor is, therefore, held firmly and securely on the handle regardless ofthe position of, this blade edge exposure adjustment.

Among other improved-features in the new Gillette razor is a rust-proof blade which needs only to be rinsed after shaving, thus eliminating the blade removing and drying operation heretofore necessary. When this blade is to be rinsed, the razor parts arefreleased from their shaving position sufficiently to permit the flexed blade to return to its normal flat condition to thereby become spaced from the guard and to permit free passage of a lstream of rinsing water.

My invention is particularly applicable to the well-known Gillette type safety razor in which the blade is clamped between cap and guard members and in such an assembly it the blade cleansing position, the said retainv ing means being independently releasable for the purpose of removing and changing blades. In the preferred form of -the invention the assembly retaining means and the blade clampin vmeans are formed as parts y of the razor han le and preferably on relatively telescoping parts thereof, rotation of one of'said arts being adapted to clamp the blade for s aving or release theblade for cleansing and rotation of the other part being adapted to disassemble the razor. In one respect myinvention consists in an improved razor having these novel and useful characteristics.

My invention furthermore contemplates an improvedsafety razor -of the vabove defined type wherein the outer and blade clamping and releasing element of the handle ,is swivelled to the razor guard whereby, upon being released, it not only permits separation of the cap and uard but positively withdraws the guard from the cap. My improved razor also preferably employs two independent means, asscrew threads, on the cap stem for engagement by the two handle elements, such construction permitting the adjustment or release of one of said elements without affecting the other element or its connection to the razor.

In the accompan ing drawing I have shown certain specific em odiments of my invention but it will be understood that the invention can be otherwise embodied and that the drawing is not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims appended hereto being `relied upon for that purpose.

.Referring to the figures of the drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a razor embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through one form of my razor and showing the same in clamped shaving position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary 'view like Fig 2 but showing the parts released for rinsing; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through a modified form ot my razor; and

` cooperating the portions 28 sembling the supported Fig. 5 is a like view illustrating a further modified construction. f

The form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 will be first described. 'This razor comprises a cap 10, a guard 12, a blade 14 therebetween, and a handle composed of two elements 16 and 18. The ca and guard are relatively located by means ot a centrally disposed rib 19 on theinner face of the cap with and extending into a groove 21 in the guard. The blade is located by means of a centrally disposed slot which fits over this rib of the cap, The blade is ilexible and normally iat, as in Fig. `3, and the adjacent faces ofthe cap and guard are of such contour as to flex the blade to the transverse curved position shown in Fig. 2 when the cap and' guard are clamped together on the' blade. Extendinl outwardly from the blade engaging face o the cap is a stem having two relatively spaced screw threads 20 and 22 thereon. A ortion of the handle Y element 18 is telescope within the handle element 1 6 and the inner ends of these elements are threaded to res ectively engage the cap stem threads 20 an 22. v

The outer handle element 16 comprises a relatively long sleeve having a solid portion 24 pressed into its inner end, the inner en d of this portion being threaded to receive the cap stem thread 20 and the remaining portion thereof having a bore 26 therethrough for receiving and supporting the reduced inner end 28 of the inner handle element 18 when the thread engagement is released, as in Fig. 3. The inner end of the outer element is knurled and'is preferably of a size substantially correspondin to the sleeve. Interdand the reduced portion 28 is a stepped portion 30 on which 1s the outer end. of the sleeve 16. This outer handle element is thereby rotatably supported on the inner element, sulic'ient clearance, however, being provided between and 24'to -permit the portion 28 to freely en age its screw threads 22 on the cap stem. I a so preferably swivel the inner en d of the outer handle element to the guard Y and this may be conveniently done by forming an extended portionon the inner end of the part 24, assembling'the same within the smaller end of a stepped hole in the guard and bendizg the portion over at 32 before internally threading the part 24. The outerhandle element is thereby closely butrotatably connected to the guard by the inter-engaging annular portions 32 and 34.`

The function of a razor thus constructed may be briefly described a's follows. In asrazor parts, theblade is placed on the ca 'and the guard on the blade in the `5 usual an well-knownmanner. The inner i Leaders outer handle element and threaded tightly to 'the cap stem thread 22, that is, turned until stopped by the end of the thread so that the cap andthe inner handle member 28 constitutes a rigid assembly. vThe razor parts are thereby connected together and can be disassembled only' by releasing this lthread connection at 22. To clamp the blade between the cap and guard it is lonly necessary to en# gage the outer handle element with the thread 20 and tighten the same, this position of the parts being shown in Fig.2. If it is desired to secure -a slightly greater blade edge exposure, the outer handle element is slightly unscrewed whereby the blade edges will moveV away rom the guard, as illustrated in Fig. 4,v and hereinafter described. It will be` observed that this releasing action in no manner affects the connection of the inner handle 1nember`28 with the cap stem at 22 and since the outer element is rotatably su ported at 20 and 30, the handle remains rnily and securely engaged with the cap. When it is desired to rinse the blade and razor, the outer handle element is fully released, as shown in It will be noted that in this condition of the razor, the guard is released from its engagement with the rib 19 and is free to spinwith the sleeve member 16 upon theinner handle member to which the cap remains firmly secure.

The form of my invention shown in Fig. 4 diii'ers from that just described in'that the outer handle element is not swivelled tothe guard but the two handle elements are swivelly connected together. This razor comprises a cap 40, a guard 42, a blade 4 4, and a'handle comprising outer element 46 and inner element- 48. The cap stem has relatively spaced inner and outer threaded portions 50 and 52 and, as in Fig. 2, the outer portion 52 is of a smaller diameter. lThe reduced portion 54 of the inner handle element extends into the outer'element and is threaded to the cap stem at 52. The outer element is adapted to thread onto the cap stem at 50 and bears directly .I

against the guard.

In the form of my' invention shown in Fig.

ics

2, only the inner handle element 18 is removable from the cap and guard. In the Fig. 4 form of the invention, both handle elements are removable but may not be disassembled of the element 46. In assembling the parts, the bushing is first placed on the reduced portion 54 and against the knurled portion 48 and the pin or lug 56 is then secured `to the portion 54.V The parts are thereafter assembled, as shown in Fig. .4, by forcing the bushing in place through' the medium of the knurled head 48.

The operation of .this form of the invention is substantially the same as that of Figs. 2 and 3., The parts are secured together by the thread engagement at 52 and tightening of thev outer element 46 onto its thread 50 serves to clamp the blade in shaving position. The position of the blade when fully clamped is shown in broken lines in Fig. 4. When the element 46 is slightly released, the blade moves toward its plane shape whereby its cutting edges are further spaced from the guard, as shown in full lines, these edges thereby being further exposed for shaving. The blade may in like manner be fully released to the rinsing position corresponding to Fig. 3 and in such position the threaded portion of the element 46 is between the threads 50 and 52 and the cap, guard and blade are freely rotatable relative to the main exterior handle portion 46.

The construction of Fig. 5 is similar to that of Fi 4. ln this razor the two relatively spacer threaded portions 60 and 62 on the cap stem are of the same diameter and are respectively engaged by the outer and inner handle elements 64 and 66. The constructon of the element 66 is similar to that of Fig. 2, i. e., comprises an outer knurled head 66, an inner reduced portion 68, and an intermediate stepped portion 70. The portion 70 maybe relatively long whereby to provide a iirm bearing for the outer sleeve 64. The two handle elements are also connected together by a pin 72 and a bushing 74 assembled and functioning like those of Fig. 4 and above de scribed. The operation of 'this razor is substantially the same as above defined and further description thereoi2 is, therefore, belieyed to be unnecessary.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters :Patent is:

l. safety razor comprising cap and guard members for gripping a blade and holding it in position for shaving, a stem on the cap having axiall spaced threads, a handle member connecte to the stem at one thread, and means also connected to the stem at its other thread and rotatable in opposite directions to respectively force the cap and guard into blade clamping relation and release their clamping action on the blade, 'the said means being swivelled to the guard member and bel ingfoperative while vthe thread connection between the handle member and stein remains secure. l

2. A safety razor comprising ca and gua"d members for gripping av bla e and holding it in position for shaving, a stem on theeap having spaced thread portions, a handle member threaded to one portion of the stem, and means threaded to another portion ci" the stem and rotatable in opposite directions to respectively orcethe l,cap and guard into blade clamping relation and release their clamping action o n the blade, co-

acting means on said handle and stem to maintain the threaded portion of the handle and the other threaded means in spaced relation, the said two stem portions being of 'the same diameter and the said means being operative while the thread connection between the handle member and stem remains in fully y `tightened condition.

3. A safety, razor Acomprising cap and guard members for gripping a blade and holding it in position for shaving, a stein on the cap, a handle member threaded to an outer portion of the stem, and means threaded to an inner portion of the stem and rotatable in opposite directions to respectively force the cap and guard into blade clamping relation and release their clamping action on the blade, the said outer portion of the stem being of smaller diameter than the said inner por-- tion and spaced therefrom and the said means being operative while the thread connection between the handle member and stem remains in fully tightened condition.

4. A safety razor comprising cap and guard members for gripping a blade and holding it in position for shaving, a stem on the cap, a. handle member including a relatively long sleeve with a portion at one end threaded to rthe stem and adapted to force the cap and guard into blade clamping relation, and a cooperating handle member extending through the sleeve and threadedto the stem in spaced relation to the threaded connection of the stem and sleeve, and means to prevent locking engagement between the threaded end of the sleeve and the threaded handle member.

5. A safety razor comprising cap and 'guard members Jfor gripping a blade and cap and guard members, the cap'having a stem with two axially spaced threads thereon, an elongad handle'member adapted to be screwed iirmly upon the endmost thread oi the cap stem and to maintain secure coin nection therewith, anda sleeve memberenclosing said handle member Aand adapted to be screwed on or unscrewed from the innermost thread of the cap stem leaving said elongated member in fixed position.

7. safety, razor comprising a cap having lOE 6. A' safety razor comprising cooperating Cil 55' threads thereon spaced a blade locating rib and a stem `with spaced. threads thereon, a guard recessed to receive said stemand having a groove to receive said. rib, a slotted blade positioned by said rib, an inner handle member connected to the stem at its outermost thread, and a sleeve ret-afable thereon and connected. .to the stein at its innermost thread, means to prevent lecleing engagement between the threaded handle member and the threaded portion of the sleeve and means to maintain said cap, guard and blade in spaced relation for cleansing purposes.

8. A. safety razor comprisinga cap having a blade locating rib and a stem with two apart a distance substantially as great as the height otthe rib and a guard recessed to receive said stem freely and havinga groove corresponding to 26 said rib, an inner member connected tothe .struc'ted and arranged for independent threaded engagement with the stem and connected to said tubular member for limited longitudinal movement with respect thereto.

l0. A safety razor comprising cap and "guard members for gripping a blade and holding it in position for shaving, a handle including twoelements disposed in telescopic relation, a stem on the cap member, said stem being threaded and said elements having threaded portions, -botli of said elements adapted toengage the threaded stem simultaneously, co-aeting means on said stem and inner telescopic element to prevent locking engagement of said elements when threaded on said stem, means to maintain the cap and guard in spaced relation for cleansing purposes when the outer telescopic element is.

Unthreaded from the stem.

11. A safety razor comprising ca and guard members for gripping a blacii, and holding it inY position for shaving, a handle including two elements disposed in telescopic relation, a stem on the cap member, means on adjacent ends of said elements to co-act with means on said stem to maintain the members either in gripping relation on a blade or in loosely spacedrelation from each other, coacting stop means on said stem and inner ele ment to maintain the ad'acent ends of said handle elements in space relation. u

12. In a safety razor comprising cap and guard members for gripping a blade and meedere holding it in position for shaving, said cap having a threaded stem, a handle including handle elements, the 'adjacent ends of said elements being threaded and adapted to engage the threaded stem simultaneously, means to maintain the threaded ends of the handle elements in spaced relation, means tomaintain the guard, cap and blade in spaced relation for cleansing purposes 'when one of the handle elements is Unthreaded from the stem.

i3. ln a safety razor comprising capand guard'niembersjfor gripping a blade and holding it in position for shaving, said cap having a threaded stem, a handle including handlel elements arranged in telescopic rela- ,i

tion, the adjacent ends of said. handle elements being threaded to engage the threaded stem at different points respectively, the stein bep ing shaped to maintain the threaded ends of the handle elements in longitudinally spaced relation When so engaged, means to maintain the cap, .guard and blade in spaced'relation for cleansing purposes when one 'of the handle elements is unthreaded from the stem.

lll. A safety razor comprisin' cap, guard and blade including a handle t erefor, said cap having a threaded stem .extendin through the blade and guard and into the en of the handle, said handle including handle elements which are threaded at their adjacent ends to engage the threaded stem, means incorporated in the handle structure to maintain the threaded handle element vends in spaced relation, means on the stem providing vforlimited.separation of cap, guard and blade for cleansing purposes, co-acting means on handle and stem to prevent the accidental separation of the cap from the remainder of the razor, and co-acting means on cap, guard and blade to lmaintain alignment of cap,

'guard and blade even though the cap, guard and blade are in position of limited separation.

' THEODORE L. SMITH. 

